The Kansas City Chiefs have announced their Coach of the Week honors for the second week of the 2020 season. The awards go to St. Pius High School coach Anthony Simone and Blue Valley Northwest High School coach Clint Rider.
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. Both coaches are now qualified for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall. The Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award is selected by a panel comprised of the Missouri and Kansas Boards from the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.
St. Pius is off to a 4-0 start and last week beat state powerhouse Maryville 26-14 for its first win over the Spoofhounds in 19 years. Simone played on championship teams at Pius and said this honor is for everyone involved with the program.
"I am truly honored to receive this great award," Simone said. "I will receive this award on behalf of all of these great St. Pius football players and this amazing coaching staff. They have sacrificed and worked extremely hard, and this wouldn't have happened without each and every one of them. This is an amazing group of humans that understands how important it is to live every day like a champion on and off the field. I am blessed to be a part of this extraordinary FAMILY."
Northwest opened its season with an impressive 24-17 win over Blue Valley. The victory was the first over the Tigers since 2013 and matches the Huskies win total of each of the last two seasons. Rider said this award is for all the hard work his coaches and players have put into the program.
"On behalf of our players, coaches, and Blue Valley Northwest High School, I am truly honored to accept this award," Rider said. "Thank you to the Chiefs organization and the Hunt Family Foundation for recognizing and supporting the performance of our athletes. This award is reflective of the efforts a great many people have made to elevate Husky Football over the last three years. I am deeply grateful for their diligence, their passion, and their perseverance. Our players, coaching staff, administration, and community are filled with first-rate people who make working here such an enjoyable experience. We will continue to Pull The Sled and forge a brighter path forward for Husky football!"
In its 24th season, the 2020 High School Coach of the Week is a joint initiative of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. This program is designed to recognize and reward Kansas City area high school coaches for superior performance on a weekly basis while honoring individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
The Kansas City Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select Coaches of the Week from Missouri and Kansas each week. PrepsKC is the only complete multimedia coverage of high school football in the Kansas City Metro. For the last 11 years it has combined a dynamic web site, weekly magazine and comprehensive weekly radio show. More information about PrepsKC, including scores, schedules and coverage can be found at www.prepskc.com.
